Removable panel for suspended ceiling and suspended ceiling incorporating such a removable panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a removable panel (10T) comprising: - a frame (100T); - a sash (101T) capable of being reversibly inserted into said frame; - at least one sling attached to said frame at one end and reversibly attached to said sash at a second end. The removable panel according to the invention further comprises at least one attachment means (3) for holding said sash engaged in said frame, each attachment means comprising a central portion pivotally connected to the sash, said central portion having at its upper end an attachment portion intended to come into contact with the frame, and at its lower end a handling portion. The invention also relates to a suspended ceiling comprising an assembly of modular panels, including a removable panel (10T) according to the invention.

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of architecture.

[0002] More specifically, the invention belongs to the field of suspended ceilings.

[0003] The invention finds particular application in the field of acoustics and acoustic panels. Technique antérieure

[0004] Apart from aesthetic, thermal and / or acoustic considerations, the installation of a suspended ceiling makes it possible to conceal ventilation ducts and electrical cable paths by creating a technical void, or plenum.

[0005] It is known from earlier art that panels were used to form suspended ceilings.

[0006] The French patent application published under number FR 3 082 538 describes a removable panel intended to be integrated into a suspended ceiling according to the preamble of claim 1. The removable panel comprises a frame, an opening held to the frame by means of at least one magnet, at least one sling connecting the frame to the opening, and a safety device capable of ensuring the attachment of the sling to the opening.

[0007] One drawback of this solution is that the use of magnets does not allow for optimal retention of the opening sash to the frame. Exposé de l'invention

[0008] The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0009] The invention relates to a removable panel for a suspended ceiling comprising: a fixed frame; an opening capable of fitting, at least partially, and reversibly into said fixed frame; at least one sling fixed to said fixed frame at one end and fixed reversibly to said opening at a second end;

[0010] According to the invention, the opening of the removable panel comprises at least one attachment means for holding said opening engaged in said frame, each attachment means comprising a central portion pivotally connected to the opening, said central portion having at its upper end an attachment portion intended to come into contact with the frame, and at its lower end a manipulation portion. Similarly, the frame comprises at least one plate and at least one notch configured to cooperate with said attachment means.

[0011] The removable panel has a closed position in which the hooking part rests on the frame, and an open position in which the hooking part is pivoted in the notch.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the notch in the frame has an "L" or "inverted L" shape, one longitudinal side of the notch being aligned with an edge of the frame, and in which the frame plate is situated in continuity with said notch.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the hooking part is a substantially flat part, and in the closed position, said hooking part is in face-to-face contact with the soffit plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the removable panel also includes at least one safety device capable of securing at least one sling to the opening.

[0015] In one embodiment, the opening has at least one groove, each groove being associated with a safety device, and each safety device has an arm, and a first rivet and a second rivet, arranged on either side of said associated groove, the arm being fixed by means of the first rivet to the frame of the opening by a first end of said arm, so that the arm is able to pivot around the axis of said rivet by manual action, the second rivet being intended to cooperate with a hole in said arm to lock said safety device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the dormant is a parallelepiped frame having a right-angled section, of which a vertical arm is disposed on the inner side of said frame, and of which a horizontal arm has said notch.

[0017] In one embodiment, the central part has a substantially flat and rectangular shape, the hanging part extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central part from the upper end of said central part, and the handling part is a substantially flat part extending from the lower end of said central part in a direction forming an angle substantially between 0 and 180 degrees with a direction normal to said central part.

[0018] In one embodiment, the angle formed by the manipulation part and the normal direction to said central part is substantially between 30 and 90 degrees.

[0019] The invention also relates to a suspended ceiling comprising a set of modular panels. According to the invention, the suspended ceiling includes a removable panel as described in the invention.

[0020] In one embodiment, the suspended ceiling is an acoustic suspended ceiling and the modular panels, as well as at least one removable panel, are of the following type: ventilated filter panel consisting of a frame covered with a ventilated textile cover stretched over said frame or; absorbent panel consisting of a frame supporting absorbent wadding and a microporous veil, the whole being covered with a textile cover.

[0021] In one embodiment, the modular panels are held together by linear joining systems ensuring the flatness of said suspended ceiling. Brève description des dessins

[0022] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. These are presented only as an illustration and in no way limit the invention. [ Fig. 1 [ ] represents a view from below of an acoustic suspended ceiling in a particular configuration. Fig. 2 [ ] represents a perspective view of a suspended ceiling with a removable panel whose opening is detached from the frame. ] Fig. 3A ] represents a perspective view of a fixed part of a removable panel according to the invention. Fig. 3B ] represents a detail of the figure 3A . [ Fig. 3C ] represents a top view of a notch depicted on the figure 3B . [ Fig. 4 [ ] represents a perspective view of an opening of a removable panel according to the invention. ] Fig. 5A [ ] represents a perspective view of a fastening means according to the invention. ] Fig. 5B [ ] represents a side view of a fastening means according to the invention, in a first embodiment. ] Fig. 5C [ ] represents a side view of a fastening means according to the invention, in a second embodiment. ] Fig. 5 D) represents a perspective view of the engagement and disengagement mechanism of the fastening means. LEFT: closed position, RIGHT: open position. Fig. 6A ] represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the frame and the sash, fitted together and held together by the fastening means. Fig. 6B [ ] represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the fixed and opening sections of two adjacent removable panels connected by a linear joining system. Fig. 6C [ ] represents a vertical cross-sectional view of the fixed and opening sections of two adjacent panels connected by a linear joining system, one of the panels being a removable panel and the other a fixed panel. Fig. 7A ] represents a perspective view of part of an opening of a removable panel according to the invention, of which a safety device according to the invention is in the open or unlocked position. Fig. 7B ] represents a perspective view of part of an opening of a removable panel according to the invention, of which a safety device according to the invention is in the closed or locked position. Description détaillée

[0023] With reference to the figure 1 , a suspended ceiling 1 is composed of a set of modular panels 10 consisting of filter panels 10F and absorbent panels 10A, respectively named in the following description "filters" and "absorbents".

[0024] The 10F filters are panels consisting of a frame covered with a perforated textile cover 11 stretched over said frame. The 10F filters allow, for example, the diffusion of a light source located in a plenum between the suspended ceiling 1 and the ceiling of a room in which said suspended ceiling is installed, or the circulation of air from an air conditioner. In one embodiment, the filter frame is metallic.

[0025] 10A absorbers are opaque elements intended for acoustic correction. 10A absorbers are panels composed of a frame, an absorbent material such as absorbent wadding, and a microporous veil, the whole being covered with a textile cover 11. In one embodiment, the frame of the absorbers is metallic.

[0026] The modular panels 10 are fixed to each other by linear joining systems 6, which are themselves fixed to the ceiling by a cable system 2, as illustrated in the figure 2 .

[0027] According to the invention, the suspended ceiling 1 also comprises at least one removable panel 10T, or "hatch", as illustrated in the figure 2 The removable 10T panel also has a filter or absorber function but can be removed to allow access to the plenum, as will be understood later.

[0028] Each removable panel 10T consists of a frame 100T and an opening 101T, the opening being able to be fitted into the frame reversibly from below the frame, so that, when the opening 101T is fitted into the frame 100T, the removable panel 10T is not noticeably distinguishable from the other modular panels 10 composing the suspended ceiling 1. Throughout the description, the terms "lower" and "upper" parts refer to the position of the panel once integrated into the suspended ceiling.

[0029] With reference to the figure 3A The 100T frame consists mainly of a substantially rectangular frame, hereafter referred to as the "fixed frame", having substantially the dimensions of another panel 10 of the suspended ceiling 1, and comprising four profiles with an L-shaped section suitable for receiving the 101T opening. In one embodiment, the fixed frame is made of a metallic material.

[0030] The right-angled section of the profiles has a vertical arm 1000 positioned on the inside of the fixed frame and a horizontal arm 1001 forming the upper part of the fixed frame. Those skilled in the art will understand from the description that the shape of the removable panel 10T is not limited to the shape and dimensions described above, but can be produced in various geometric shapes, depending in particular on the shape of the other panels of the suspended ceiling 1 into which it is intended to be integrated.

[0031] The present invention proposes an optimized fastening mechanism for securely engaging the sash with the frame and for easily disengaging the sash. To this end, the invention proposes providing the frame with at least one plate and a notch designed to cooperate with a means for attaching the sash. In particular, the plate and the notch have a shape adapted to receive a part of the attachment mechanism.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment illustrated in the figure 3B representing a detail of the figure 3A , the 100T dormant includes a set of four 1002 notches presenting substantially an "L" shape or an inverted "L".

[0033] With reference to the figure 3C Representing a top view of an inverted "L"-shaped notch 1002, each notch 1002 is virtually divided into a first rectangular recessed area 1012 corresponding to an inclined part of the "L" shape of the notches, and a second rectangular recessed area 1022 corresponding to a straight part of the "L" shape of the notches, highlighted in the figure by means of dashed lines. The first rectangular area 1012 has a first depth P1 greater than a second depth P2 of the second rectangular area 1022. The two rectangular recessed areas form a plateau 1032, also virtually highlighted by dashed lines. The plate 1032 is therefore a solid rectangular area of ​​the frame in continuity with the first rectangular hollowed area 1012 of the notch and the second rectangular hollowed area 1022, said plate being located at the internal angle of the "L" shaped notch.

[0034] The 100T frame is fixed to the other panels 10 by the same linear joining system 6 as that used between any two panels 10.

[0035] With reference to the figure 4 The 101T opening consists primarily of a frame, hereafter referred to as the "opening frame," having approximately the same dimensions as another panel 10 of the suspended ceiling 1, and comprising four square-section profiles over which the textile, adapted to the panel's intended function (i.e., filter or absorber), is stretched. Although the profile sections of the fixed and opening frames described above represent a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that they are not limited to these. For example, the opening frame could also be C-shaped.

[0036] In one embodiment, the opening frame is made of a metallic material. The opening 101T is equipped with a set of fastening means 3 arranged on a lateral face 1011 formed by all the profiles of the opening frame.

[0037] On the figure 4 , the fastening means 3 are distributed over two parallel profiles of the opening frame, two of said fastening means being placed on a first profile and two other fastening means 3 being placed opposite each other on the parallel profile.

[0038] With reference to the figure 5A The fastening means 3 each comprise a central part 30 having at an upper end said fastening part 31, and at a lower end a handling part 32. The central part 30 has a substantially flat and rectangular shape, and is in pivot connection with the lateral face 1011. In the illustrated example, the central part 30 has a circular hole 301 allowing the fastening means to be fixed to the opening.

[0039] With reference to figures 5B And 5C The attachment part 31 is a flat part extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central part 30. The attachment part 31 is therefore a surface of the frame with dimensions substantially equal to those of the plate 1032. The figure 5D The figure illustrates a closed position (detail on the left) and an open position (detail on the right) of the latching mechanism. In the open position, the latching portion is pivoted within the recessed area of ​​the frame's notch, such that it does not bear against the frame and can be disengaged from it. In the closed position, the latching portion is pivoted at the level of the frame's plate 1032, so that it bears against the plate 1032. The frame's plate 1032 is thus held towards the sash by the latching portion, which is itself connected to a vertical arm of the sash.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the latching portion has a substantially flat shape, and its entire lower surface is in direct contact with the frame's top plate. In this embodiment, the top plate therefore has dimensions equal to those of the latching portion, which provides optimal stability in the closed position. Indeed, when a portion of the latching portion is not in contact with the top plate, the weight of the sash can potentially, depending on the circumstances, destabilize the closure and accidentally cause the latching mechanism to pivot towards its open position.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment, the notches are L-shaped, with one longitudinal side of the notch positioned on an edge of the horizontal arm of the frame. This prevents the central part of the fastening means from rubbing against the edge of the frame, thus facilitating the repositioning of the fastening means.

[0042] The manipulation part 32 is a flat part extending from a lower end of the central part 30 in a direction forming an angle α with a direction normal to the central part 30, said angle α being substantially between 0 and 180 degrees.

[0043] Since the suspended ceiling is described here as flat, meaning that the lower end of one ceiling panel is substantially at the same level as the lower end of an adjacent panel, the upper limit of 180 degrees arises from the presence of a panel adjacent to the removable panel. This may prevent the use of a hanging device 3 with an angle α greater than 180 degrees if the gap between the panels is less than the length of the handling section. However, those skilled in the art will understand that a larger angle may be necessary in other cases, for example, if the suspended ceiling has a raised surface, and in particular, if the lower face of the adjacent panel is at a higher elevation than that of the removable panel.

[0044] To allow the placement of two acoustic panels according to the invention opposite each other, the angle α is preferably between 0 and 90 degrees.

[0045] Preferably, the angle α is between 30 and 90 degrees to prevent an operator handling the manipulation part 32 from intuitively applying a pulling force to said part, thereby risking damage to the removable panel. A regular and symmetrical distribution of the fastening means, as illustrated, provides better support for the opening 101T, as will be understood from the following; however, those skilled in the art will understand that the number of fastening means and their configuration are not limited to the illustrated example. The fastening means may, for example, be arranged on non-parallel profiles. In one embodiment, the fastening means are made of a metallic material.

[0046] With reference to the figure 6A , the textile 11 of the removable panel 10T, shown in bold line, is fixed to an upper face 1010 of the opening 101T and to an outer face 1011 of said opening substantially perpendicular to said upper face, and said textile is only stretched at the level of a lower part of the opening 101T, leaving an upper part of said opening free so that the opening frame can fit into the fixed frame.

[0047] Such a configuration of the 101T sash and the textile allows the use of a 100T fixed frame, two profile sections of which are shown on the figure 6A .

[0048] With reference to the figure 6B Two 100T frames of two adjacent 10T removable panels have two horizontal 1001 frame arms facing each other. This offers two advantages: On the one hand, the gap between the panels is better controlled because the vertical parts of the profiles of the fixed frame do not interfere, due to their thickness, in the adjustment of the distance between the panels, which allows more freedom in adjusting the gap between the panels; on the other hand, the fixed frames are not visible between the panels to an individual moving in the room containing the suspended ceiling.

[0049] Although the figure 6B represents two removable 10T panels, these considerations are also valid for a removable 10T panel adjacent to a non-removable panel.

[0050] For example, the figure 6C This illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of two adjacent panels, the one on the left being a removable 10T panel, and the one on the right a non-removable 10F filter panel. In this configuration, it appears that the L-shaped profile of the removable panel's frame allows for control of the gap between the two panels, since the vertical 1000 branch of the profile does not interfere with managing this gap. Furthermore, it appears that on the figure 6C that the non-removable panels can be entirely covered with textile without preventing the implementation of the invention.

[0051] The frame 100T and the sash 101T are also connected by a set of slings 4. In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures, four slings 4 are used to connect the frame 100T and the sash 101T. The slings 4 are attached to the frame 100T and the sash 101T in such a way as to limit the fall of the removable panel 10T when it is not held in place within the frame 100T.

[0052] A set of safety devices 5, each comprising at least one sling locking means and at least one locking means, is also arranged on the opening 101T. With reference to the figures 7A And 7BA safety device 5 according to the invention comprises an arm 50 and two rivets 51A, 51B. The rivets 51A, 51B are arranged on either side of a groove 1013 in the opening, in holes in the opening designed to receive said rivets. A first rivet 51A allows the arm 50 to be permanently fixed to the frame of the opening by one end of said arm, the arm 50 nevertheless being able to pivot around the axis of said rivet by manual action.

[0053] The safety device 5 can thus move from an open (or unlocked) position as illustrated on the figure 7A to a closed (or locked) position as illustrated on the figure 7B , wherein a hole 501 in the arm 50 cooperates with a second rivet 51B to block the movement of said arm.

[0054] Conversely, the safety device 5 can be moved from a closed (or locked) position to an open (or unlocked) position by disengaging the arm 50 from the second rivet 51B. The groove 1013 extends substantially transversely across the frame of the opening. In the closed (or locked) position, the arm of the safety device 5 is substantially perpendicular to the groove 1013, thus ensuring that the sling is secured and cannot come out of the groove. In the open (or unlocked) position, the arm of the safety device 5 is no longer perpendicular to the groove, and the lack of locking can then cause the sling to come out of the groove.

[0055] It should be noted that, for safety reasons, if the safety device 5 is in the open position, the arm 50 prevents the sash 101T from being inserted into the frame 100T. This function is ensured by the L-shaped design of the frame. Indeed, if the sash 101T is installed while at least one of the safety devices 5 is in the open position, then the arm 50 of at least one of the devices 5 will come into contact with the vertical arm 1000 of the frame 100T, which is substantially vertical when said frame is installed in the suspended ceiling 1, thus preventing the sash from being installed. In one embodiment, the safety device 5 is made primarily of a metallic material. Those skilled in the art will understand that a fastening method other than a rivet may be used.

[0056] With reference to the figure 4 , four safety devices 5 are distributed opposite each other on the two parallel profiles of the opening 101T which does not have a means of attachment 3. This example is not limiting and those skilled in the art will understand that another configuration than the one illustrated may be envisaged, in particular one or more safety devices 5 may be arranged on the profiles including the means of attachment 3.

[0057] As illustrated on the figures 7A And 7B During the installation of the sash 101T, each sling 4, previously fixed to the frame 100T installed in the suspended ceiling 1, is inserted into the groove 1013 of the sash, with the corresponding safety device 5 in the open position. The sling 4 is then reversibly fixed to the sash 101T, and the associated safety device 5 is locked, i.e., placed in the closed position, to prevent the sling 4 from coming out of the groove 1013.

[0058] In a conventional manner, the sling 4 comprises a cable, intended to be slid into the groove 1013 of the frame of the opening, and a component at each end of said cable, for example a ring or a hook, allowing the sling to be fixed to the frame 100T on the one hand, and to the opening 101T on the other.

[0059] The sling's exit from groove 1013 is prevented, on the one hand, by the arm 50 of the safety device 5 in the closed position, and on the other hand, by the dimensions of the component forming the end of the sling, which are sufficiently large to prevent the component from passing through the groove. It should be noted that only one sling is shown in the diagram. figures 7A And 7B The fastening means are not shown in these figures. The sash 101T is then fitted into the frame 100T, and held in place by the fastening means 3.

[0060] During the implementation of the opening 101T in the frame, the hooking means 3 are manually oriented by manipulating the manipulation part 32 so as to be able to pass the hooking part 31 into the first recessed area 1012 of the associated notch 1002.

[0061] The hooking means 3 are then oriented vertically so that the hooking part 31 comes into contact with the horizontal arm 1001 of the frame 100T, and more particularly with the plate 1032 associated with the notch 1002, said contact being maintained by gravity.

[0062] When an operator wishes to detach the sash 101T from the frame 100T, for example to access the ventilation system, they slightly lift the sash 101T to separate the latching portion 31 of each of the latching means 3 of the frame, then pivot said latching means to allow the latching portion 31 of each of said latching means to pass through the first associated recess 1012. The sash can thus be detached from the frame.

[0063] In one embodiment, each fastening means 3 includes a spring tending to maintain said fastening means in a vertical position, that is, the position of said fastening means when it is in contact with the frame. In this case, the force exerted by the operator to rotate the fastening means must counteract the force exerted by the spring, both for inserting the sash 101T into the frame 100T and for removing it from said frame. The presence of the spring thus provides additional security once the sash is inserted into the frame.

[0064] The safety devices 5 can then be unlocked to detach the slings 4 from the opening 101T, which can then be handled freely, and in particular removed to allow access to the plenum.

Claims

1. Removable panel for suspended ceiling (10T) including: - a fixed section (100T); - an opening section (101T) configured to be reversibly nested, at least partially, in said fixed section; - at least one sling (4) fastened to said fixed section at a first end and reversibly fastened to said opening section at a second end; said removable panel being characterised in that: - the opening section (101T) includes at least one attachment means (3) making it possible to maintain said opening section engaged in said fixed section, each attachment means including a central portion (30) fastened as a pivot connection with the opening section, said central portion having at an upper end an attachment portion (31) intended for coming into contact with the fixed section, and at a lower end a manipulation portion (32), and - the fixed section (100T) includes at least one plateau (1032) and at least one notch (1002) configured to cooperate with said attachment means, and including a closed position wherein the attachment portion is bearing on the plateau (1032) of the fixed section, and an open position wherein the attachment portion is pivoted in the notch (1022).

2. Removable panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the notch of the fixed section includes an "L" or "inverted L" shape, a longitudinal side of the notch being aligned with an edge of the fixed section, and the plateau (1032) is located in continuity with said (1022) notch.

3. Removable panel according to claims 2, wherein the attachment portion is a substantially flat portion, and in the closed position, said attachment portion is in face-to-face contact with the plateau of the fixed section.

4. Removable panel according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that said removable panel includes moreover at least one safety device (5) able to provide a fastening of the at least one sling (4) to the opening section (101T).

5. Removable panel according to claim 4 characterised in that the opening section includes at least one groove (1013), each groove being associated with a safety device, and in that each safety device (5) includes an arm (50), and a first rivet (51A) and a second rivet (51B) disposed on either side of said associated groove, the arm (50) being fastened by means of the first rivet (51A) to the frame of the opening section by a first end of said arm, so that the arm (50) is able to pivot about the axis of said rivet by manual action, the second rivet (51B) being intended for cooperating with a hole (501) of said arm to lock said safety device.

6. Removable panel according to any preceding claim characterised in that the fixed section (100T) is a parallelepiped frame having a square section, of which a vertical branch (1000) is disposed on the inside side of said frame, and of which a horizontal branch includes said notch (1002).

7. Removable panel according to any preceding claim characterised in that the central portion (30) has a substantially flat and rectangular shape, the attachment portion (31) extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the central portion (30) from the upper end of said central portion, and the manipulation portion (32) is a substantially flat portion extending from the lower end of said central portion in a direction forming an angle substantially comprised between 0 and 180 degrees with a direction normal to said central portion.

8. Removable panel according to claim 7 characterised in that the angle formed by the manipulation portion (32) and the direction normal to said central portion is substantially comprised between 30 and 90 degrees.

9. Suspended ceiling (1) including an assembly of modular panels (10) characterised in that it includes at least one removable panel (10T) according to any preceding claim.

10. Suspended ceiling (1) according to claim 9 characterised in that said suspended ceiling is an acoustic suspended ceiling and in that the modular panels (10) as well as the at least one removable panel (10T) are of the type: - aerated filter panel (10F) comprised of a framework covered with a perforated textile cover stretched over said framework or; - absorbent panel (10A) comprised of a framework supporting an absorbent wad and a microporous veil, the assembly being covered with a textile cover.

11. Suspended ceiling according to claim 9 or claim 10 characterised in that the modular panels (10) are maintained together by linear junction systems (6) providing a flatness of said suspended ceiling.

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